Types of Sentences

1. Sentences can be defined according to their content or intention:

   • Declarative sentence: a sentence that states a fact or an idea.

     —The police officer stopped the man in the red car because he was speeding.

   • Interrogative sentence: a sentence that asks a question and ends in a question mark.

     —Where are the songs of spring?

   • Imperative sentence: a sentence that issues a command or makes a request.

     —Please bring me the newspaper.

   • Exclamatory sentence: a sentence that issues a command or makes a dramatic observation. Exclamation points should not punctuate declarative sentences.

     —What a tiring day!

     —Get away from me!

2. Sentences also can be defined according to their structure:

   • Simple sentence: a sentence made up of a single independent clause.

     —It is a beautiful day.

   • Compound sentence: a sentence made up of two independent clauses connected by a conjunction.

     —It is a beautiful day, and I’m eager to go outside.

   • Complex sentence: a sentence made up of one or more dependent clauses connected to an independent clause.

     —Because it is a beautiful day, I’m eager to go outside.

   • Compound-complex sentence: a sentence made up of multiple independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

     —I love sunshine, and because it is a beautiful day, I’m eager to go outside.